Among photo enthusiasts--and if you're reading this news item, there's a fair chance you're in that number--the Canon G1 X is sure to be a big talking point. With that in mind, we've just posted our Canon G1 X preview, and we'll also be conducting a public Q&A with Canon's Chuck Westfall to discuss the G1 X later tonight. The session takes place at 6:15PM Pacific time (that's 9:15PM Eastern time; click here to convert for other time zones.) If you'd like to get a jump on the question-asking (or if you won't be around when the event goes live), tweet your question to @ir_lab, and mention G1X in the text somewhere, and we'll try to get to your questions during the active session.

For the full story, you'll want to read our preview, but in brief the Canon PowerShot G1 X is the company's first large-sensor PowerShot model, and indeed, the first large-sensor, fixed-lens compact camera to feature an optical zoom. It looks to be Canon's rebuttal to the burgeoning compact system camera market, based around a brand-new, Canon-developed CMOS sensor that's almost as tall as those in Canon's APS-C based SLR cameras, but with a 4:3 aspect ratio instead of the more typical 3:2 aspect. The PowerShot G1 X looks to offer a clear advantage over existing system cameras in terms of overall size, with a body that's just 2.5 inches deep when the 4x optical zoom lens is retracted. That lens, though, offers a greater range than the typical system camera kit lens. Of course, if you need more reach than the lens can offer, then you're stuck zooming with your feet, where with a system camera you could just slap on another lens (at least, if you have one to hand.)

The Canon PowerShot G1 X goes on sale next month, priced at about US$800. For more details--and to take part in our live Q&A session tonight--hop on over to our Canon G1 X preview.

The ELPH 520 HS is said to be the world's slimmest 12x zoom with 28mm wide angle.Photo provided by Canon USA Inc.

Next up, we have the Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS, a replacement for last year's ELPH 500 HS. Billed as the world's slimmest 12x zoom camera with a 28mm wide angle, the Canon 520 HS features ten megapixel resolution, a 3.0-inch LCD panel, and MicroSD storage media. It's slated to arrive in stores from March 2012, and is priced at around US$300. More details in our Canon 520 HS preview.

Finally, Canon's third introduction of the day is the PowerShot ELPH 110 HS, following in the footsteps of last year's ELPH 300 HS. Changes since last year include a jump to 16 megapixel resolution, a slightly larger 3.0-inch LCD panel, DIGIC 5 image processor, and face recognition capability. Pricing is set at US$250, and availability is February 2012. More details in our Canon 110 HS preview.

The ELPH 110 HS offers more resolution and a larger LCD than last year's model.Photo provided by Canon USA Inc.

Press Release

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., January 9, 2012 – Continuing to revolutionize the digital camera market, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the introduction of a new flagship PowerShot model, the PowerShot G1 X, in addition to two stylish PowerShot ELPH models, the ELPH 520 HS and ELPH 110 HS. The PowerShot G1 X camera will feature a 1.5-inch, 14.3-megapixel CMOS sensor, the largest sensor to date for a PowerShot model, delivering approximately nine times more light sensitivity and helping to produce amazing depth-of-field and high-quality images in tough low-light conditions. For those users looking for a camera with advanced features in a compact form both the PowerShot ELPH 520 HS, the world’s thinnest 12x optical zoom with a 28mm lens1, and PowerShot ELPH 110 HS feature a sleek design and compelling creative capabilities.

The Power of DIGIC 5
Living up to its reputation as a leader in the digital camera marketplace, Canon has incorporated the DIGIC 5 image processor into the HS SYSTEM for all three models. Achieving better quality images in low-light settings, boasting faster operation and providing improved color accuracy, the DIGIC 5 image processor ensures users are able to produce high-quality images in the most difficult of lighting conditions. The processor will also enable the PowerShot G1 X camera to utilize the High-Speed Burst HQ2 feature allowing photographers to shoot images at high speeds at full resolution to capture the perfect moving shot. Additionally, to ensure images are crisp and clear, advanced noise reduction and a smarter multi-area White Balance can be utilized to achieve accurate color reproduction for a balanced image.

Advanced Smart AUTO
Advanced Smart AUTO, available in the PowerShot ELPH 520 HS and ELPH 110 HS, can detect up to 58 scenes varying from non-human moving subjects to people, landscapes, pets and vehicles, helping the camera determine the best mode of shooting. This technology has been enhanced to include a new Face ID feature, allowing users to register up to 12 people on the camera and have the camera recognize and prioritize each person. When registering individuals on the camera, users can take up to five images of a subject at various angles or facial expressions and enter their name and birth date. This allows the camera to make one of three age distinctions: Babies (0 to 1 year old), Children (2 to 12 years old) or Adults (13 years or older). Based on these different groups, the camera will give focus priority to the youngest recognized group in the frame and makes the images searchable as well with the ability to view only those images of a particular person.

Further additions to this new feature are Smile Recognition and Sleeping Face Recognition. With Smile Recognition, the camera will take three consecutive shots of a scene such as a smiling baby or of grandparents at a family get together and select the best out of the three for the final image. For Sleeping Face Recognition the flash, assist beam and sound is turned off for that precious moment to be captured while not disturbing one’s sleep.

PowerShot G1 X Digital Camera
Ideal for photography enthusiasts looking for the highest image quality in a compact, point-and-shoot design, the Canon PowerShot G1 X camera features the largest sensor to date for a Canon point-and-shoot model. The camera has a brand new, large 1.5-inch (18.7 x 14mm), 14.3-megapixel High-Sensitivity Canon CMOS sensor, delivering shallow depth of field, a wide dynamic range, an ISO range of up to 12800 and incredible light gathering ability helping to ensure brilliant images in even tough low-light conditions. Featuring an amazing Canon lens with 4X Optical Zoom, an aperture of f/2.8 to f/16 for beautiful images when shooting portraits and amazing clarity when shooting landscapes along with wide-angle capabilities starting at 28mm, the PowerShot G1 X camera makes certain that users will have the right optics for most any situation. Further adding to the EOS-like feature set of this new model is 14-bit, RAW+JPEG shooting and compatibility with accessories such as Speedlite, Macro Twin Lite or the Macro Ring Light flashes. HDR Shooting has been included to ensure the best possible shot is captured as well. The PowerShot G1 X camera also shoots in Full HD 1080p video ensuring memorable moments are captured in the highest quality.

The Canon PowerShot G1 X camera has a bright, large 3.0-inch vari-angle LCD with 922,000 dots of resolution providing photographers with the highest quality available in a point-and-shoot. The inclusion of the Mode Dial on the top of the camera and the Front Dial helps provide more intuitive control of the camera.

The estimated selling price of the Canon PowerShot G1 X camera is $799.99 and is scheduled to be available in February.

PowerShot ELPH 520 HS Digital Camera
The feature-packed Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS camera resurrects the original PowerShot ELPH design with a more contemporary and radiant look and feel. This new stylish model has a 10.1-megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor along with a 12X Optical Zoom lens, ISO range of up to 3200 and wide-angle capabilities starting at 28mm. For photographers on the move, this camera also has Full HD 1080p video capture capabilities, a 3.0-inch LCD for easy viewing of images and High-Speed Burst mode where images are continuously captured at 6.8 frames per second.

The Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS camera will be available in black, silver, red and blue in March with an estimated selling price of $299.99.

PowerShot ELPH 110 HS Digital Camera
Canon’s PowerShot ELPH 110 HS camera comes in a variety of fun, bright colors (black, silver, red, blue, green and pink) and is the ideal camera for new photographers. With a 5X Optical Zoom lens and wide-angle capabilities beginning at 24mm, this camera provides the user with the ability to fit an entire landscape or a specific area of a subject into one shot. The camera also features a 16-megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS Sensor, ISO range of up to 3200, 3.0-inch wide LCD and Full HD 1080p video capture for brilliant, high resolution quality. High-Speed Burst mode has also been included for continuous shooting up to 5.8 frames per second.

The Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS camera is scheduled to be available in February with an estimated selling price of $249.99.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. With more than $45 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranked fourth overall in patent holdings in the U.S. in 2010†, and is one of Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies in 2011. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss.

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Specifications subject to change without notice.

All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.

†Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Availability, prices, and specifications of all products are subject to change without notice. Actual prices are set by individual dealers and may vary.

This information as of January 9, 2012

The PowerShot G1 X camera’s continuous shooting speed at high resolution is approximately 4.5 shots at 6 frames per second.